Sunday, 16 June 2013

Troubling Statistic

I read a statistic on Facebook today that stated that, according to the US TIP report, 120 people are trafficked every hour of every day!!

To find out more about this horrific statistic, how you can help fight against it, and about this amazing organisation (The A21 Campaign)go to : http://www.thea21campaign.org/

Blessings!

Ronell x

Thursday, 13 June 2013

A21 Campaign // Welcome a Survivor Home!

The A21 Campaign posted the following on their Facebook today:



When we rescue girls from the sex trade, we welcome them into our transition houses to begin healing. Would you consider writing an encouraging letter to a survivor? Here’s how: http://a21.cta.gs/02i

We would love for you to write a letter or card to the girls in our shelter. Address your letter along the lines of "Dear Beautiful" or "Lovely," and write an encouraging note that places value and worth upon the girls.
In the contents of your letter, be sure to refrain from stating your own beliefs or talking too much about your job or lifestyle, as these girls have all come from differing backgrounds and deserve to be respected and not made to feel bad about their situations. Obviously, they have been through a lot, and we ask that in your letters you do not claim to understand their situations or try to relate to what they have been through.
Please end your letter by signing with your first name only, and do not include any personal details. These letters are for the purpose of encouragement and support.
These letters can be mailed to the Greek Office.


A21 Campaign // Run 3K for Freedom

One of my absolute favourite (if not my favourite) charities/organisations is The A21 Campaign, founded by Christine Caine (author of Undaunted), a Christian organisation fighting for freedom from modern day slavery and a an end to human trafficking.

I recently ordered my wristband to show my support of the campaign, which has been a great conversation started (I recommend it as an easy 'in' for sharing about the amazing work that they do!), in the run up for a charity event that my friend Sharmila is organising. It is called Run 3K for Freedom and it is a 3km run on 6th July 2013 (12pm), in Pages Wood, Harold Wood, RM14 1JT.

There are more slaves in the world today than at any other point in human history, with an estimated 27 MILLION in bondage across the globe. Men, women and children are being exploited for manual and sexual labour, against their will. 

No one can do everything but everyone can do something.

TAKE ACTION NOW and raise awareness of human trafficking by running 3K! 

Tell everyone what you are doing and why + help make a difference! 


Entry Information: 
£5 entry fee. Entries in advance: Apply now - Send your name and your email address to run3kforfreedom@gmail.com and you will receive more information...You will also receive a race pack (including a t-shirt!) before the day!



The aim is to raise awareness of this issue, but to also raise money.
Please aim to raise a minimum of £50! All sponsorship money is going towards The A21 Campaign - A Christian organisation with a mission to abolish injustice in the 21st century! 

For more information check out (www.thea21campaign.org) and all donations can be made at http://www.justgiving.com/run3kforfreedom 

Any enquiries please contact: run3kforfreedom@gmail.com

Blessings!

Ronell x




Wednesday, 12 June 2013

Street Pastors

Monica came to talk to us tonight at Life Skills at re:generation church. She shared about her work with an organisation, both in Havering and in Redbridge, called Street Pastors. She spoke about how it was less about evangelising and more about meeting practical needs, which inevitably leads to evangelism.

I was really inspired and she kindly invited us to come and observe them in action before deciding whether we could commit to it one Friday a month.

This is what the sight has to say about street pastors:

Street Pastors is an inter-denominational Church response to urban problems, engaging with people on the streets to care, listen and dialogue.

It was pioneered in London in January 2003 by Rev Les Isaac, Director of the Ascension Trust, and has seen some remarkable results, including drops in crime in areas where teams have been working. There are now some 9000 trained volunteers in around 250 teams around the United Kingdom.

Each city project is set up by Ascension Trust and run by  a local coordinator with support from Ascersion Trust and local churches and community groups, in partnership with Police, Council and other statutory agencies.

Please read more about the project and how you can join in at: http://www.streetpastors.co.uk/

Blessings!

Ronell x



Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Empower Women to Eradicate World Hunger

Today's post is a call to sign a petition, hosted by The Hunger Site, to empower women to eradicate world hunger. Please read below and follow the link for more details and to sign the petition: http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/ths/petition/HungerWomen?link=ctg_ths_petition-HungerWomen_from_home_MegaNav 

Blessings!

Ronell x



Investing in education for women is the best way to empower them to live better and raise healthier families.


President Obama has made combating world hunger one of his many goals during his administration. In order to do this, he must come up with innovative and extraordinary tactics to accomplish this lofty goal.
Empowering women with education and resources is one of the most effective ways to ensure that more children are being cared for properly and more mouths are being fed. Since it is common in many societies for women to be the caretakers of the children and the household, we need to provide them with the knowledge and education that will allow them to pursue better opportunities for themselves and their families.
Sign the petition asking President Obama to take a step toward eradicating world hunger by empowering women worldwide with better education and resources for life.

Read more at http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/ths/petition/HungerWomen?link=ctg_ths_petition-HungerWomen_from_home_MegaNav#Je4H0dDLUp8vO0VH.99 




 

Monday, 10 June 2013

Baptisms @ re:gen :)

Tonight's evening service at re:generation church was just inspiring! We had a special baptism service where 7 new/newish Christians were officially baptised into the faith. I was asked to be one of the sponsors and it was just such a privilege and  a blessing to be a part of it.

The testimonies that we heard about the struggles that God had rescued them out of were very emotional, but just such an amazing reminder of the mess that God has rescued each Christian out of and the incredible power He has to continue to do the same in the lives of others. I am really particularly bad at remembering this, which is part of why I often struggle to witness to others: I think I have to do it in my own strength and totally forget that I can't and that God will do it in His!

Seeing all these people's non-Christian friends and family sit in church and be a part of the service just really reminded me of the importance of witnessing to others and getting them to church so that they have to opportunity to hear the Word and encounter God for the first time. I am determined to invite more people to church and to be braver in my evangelism! I encourage you to do the same! We heard tonight how one person's  evangelism (aged 16 at the time) saved so many lives (3 of which were baptised tonight!) and it really puts me to shame!

My resolve is: do what God puts on your heart, speak to who He directs you to, say what He asks you to say and He will do the rest! 

Blessings!

Ronell x

"Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day." {Acts 16:4-5}






Sunday, 9 June 2013

Make Mercy a Way of Life

God has really been putting it on my heart lately about being more merciful and having more grace for others. Reading this passage by Joyce this afternoon, really reiterated that for me! I hope it helps you too to just take a second before judging others.

Blessings!

Ronell x



Make Mercy a Way of Life

by Joyce Meyer - posted June 09, 2013

It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
Aren’t you thankful for God’s abundant mercy? It is new every morning. Surely we would all live miserable, defeated lives if it were not for His compassion and willingness to forgive us.
When we meditate on God’s mercy and truly realize how much He willingly forgives us, we can much more easily show mercy to others. Good relationships are impossible unless we are generous with mercy and forgiveness. Being merciful simply means forgiving others even though their actions would warrant our anger.
Jesus said that we are to forgive our enemies and be kind. In this way we show ourselves to be like our Father in heaven, for He is merciful and kind.   
God’s mercy is new every morning, and I am glad—because I am sure I use my allotted portion every day. I am grateful for a new, fresh start each day. When we make mistakes, He does not want us to try to sacrifice to make up for them. When others hurt or offend us, He wants us to extend mercy to them.
Learn to give and receive mercy regularly; and let mercy become a way of life for you.  
Love Others Today: God’s mercies are new for you right now! Receive the mercy He has for you and extend mercy to everyone around you.


From the book Love Out Loud by Joyce Meyer.